July 25, 2005

[This edition in the series of scans](http://lavoice.org/article932.html) from the 1906 electric coach tour guide entitled *Los Angeles From an "Auto"* takes us deeper into the Old Chinese Quarter and then to the original heart of the city, when it was just a tiny Spanish pueblo. This portion of the book is less of an advertisement for the hotels of Downtown and more of a glimpse into the unique history of the City of Angels. In case you missed them, the first three sections can be found here: [Part 1](http://lavoice.org/article896.html), [Part 2](http://lavoice.org/article900.html) and [Part 3](http://lavoice.org/article912.html). Check out the [google map](http://eecue.com/laautomap-index.html) which shows the locations of the buildings shown in the guide along with a few (soon to me many) photos of the buildings as they exist today. The engravings from this section will be posted soon thanks to the historical address finding wizardry of [Eric Richardson](http://ericrichardson.com/), who has already helped find several of the addresses for the map. **UPDATE** The story has been [boingboinged](http://www.boingboing.net/2005/07/25/1906_autoguide_to_la.html)~~[oops they said 1909 instead of 1906]~~ fixed... thanks Cory! Looks like it has also been picked up on [blogging.la](http://blogging.la/archives/2005/07/old_book_meets.phtml) and [gridskipper](http://www.gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/please-patronize-the-celestials-114191.php)

When I came back from my training in San Bernardino this weekend I was turning left on to 5th street off of Los Angeles and I heard singing, a very loud and beautiful rendition of *Amazing Grace* echoed off the buildings and to my surprise was emanating from a group of about 40 people who, to me looked like Quakers or Amish folks . They were dressed all in black suits except for their white shirts and they were wearing wide, straight brimmed black hats. It was very surreal and not something I am used to seeing on the street here in Downtown.